Question:
Why can I eat larger portions of food without any distress?

I am almost 7 weeks post op, and I find that I can eat a lot more than 3 ounces at any meal. Nothing seems to bother my pouch. Don't get me wrong...I'm not 2000 calories per meal, but I can eat an entire personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut with no sense of fullness or pain or vomiting. I feel like my "tool" isn't working, and instead of someone telling me why, I get lectures on the need to eat slower and take smaller bites. My own daughter asked me if I ever heard of "self control"! If I had perfect self control, I wouldn't have needed the surgury. Without this "tool", I'm afraid that my poor eating habits will return. Right now, I'm relying on portion size to control what I eat, but you all know how long that "tool" lasts if you think back to pre-surgery diets. Why aren't I getting sick from eating too much or too fast? Why can I eat foods high in sugar (duck sauce at a Chinese Restuarant) without dumping? Any ideas?    — Cyndie K. (posted on January 19, 2002)

January 19, 2002
I KNOW WHAT YOUR ASKING FOR I'M THE SAME WAY I'M 10 WEEKS POST OPP.AND I CAN EAT ANYTHING.I NEVER DUMP EITHER. SUGAR IS NO PROBLEM BUT I'M STILL LOOSING.THE DR SAID DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT AS LONG AS YOUR LOOSING.EVEN AT CHRISTMAS I HAD 2 WHOLE PIECES OF PECAN PIE.I WORRY TOO ,CAUSE I WAS HOPING TO USE PORTION CONTROL TOO.I USUALLY EAT 800 TO 1000 CAL A DAY THEN SOMETIMES ONLY 300 TO 400. I'VE BEEN WATCHING CLOSER LATELY. IF I GET IN ALL THE WATER THEN I DON'T EAT SO MUCH.I'M JUST NOT BIG ON DRINKING WATER.I WAS A COKE ACHOLIC BEFORE .HAVEN'T STARTED BACK DON'T INTEND TO.SO ALL I CAN SAY IS GET ALL THE WATER AND PROTEIN IN AND YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO EAT SO MUCH THAT WAY. GOOD LUCK.IF YOU LIKE TO E-MAIL ME [email protected] wls friend Nancy M.
   — NANCY M.

January 19, 2002
You didn't mention how your weight loss is coming along, so I'll assume it's still fine so far. If that's the case, relax. I'm 13 months post-op from a Lap RNY also, and I've lost 100 pounds (roughly 30 to go). I've been able to eat much more than two ounces at a time since I was about 4 weeks post-op. Not everyday, mind you, but quite often. I didn't always WANT to eat that much, but I knew I COULD. I don't believe it has hindered my weight loss, I think it just goes to show that everyone is different. Are there lots of people who can only eat 2 oz. per meal? Yes, of course, but there are plenty of us out here who can eat a lot more than that and have still been successful. I could have probably eaten a personal pizza at 7 weeks post-op. However, if you notice that you are not losing, or begin to gain (not just a one or two pound fluctuation) then I would talk to the surgeon, especially if you are not transected. Otherwise, try to stick to your surgeon's post-op plan, don't beat yourself up if you're not perfect, and just relax. The surgery WILL work! Good luck! Maria
   — Maria H.

January 19, 2002
I know where you are coming from. First you should rule out a stapleline disruption...which I did because I'm transected. I am 6 months post op and feel at this point I can eat what an "average" woman would eat. I was really bothered by my volume intake 3-4 month post op and asked the same question you did while at my support meeting. I too was getting responses like, use self control (pullleaassse), eat slower, chew longer...that only goes so far though. Finally, a light bulb lite in my head...I wasn't getting it. I said OK are you eating (ie) half a fruit because you can't eat the other half or because the surgeon told you to only eat half. I'd eat half a fruit, expect to feel content, and if it didn't make me feel that way I'd eat the other half. Anyway, the response from people in my group was, I eat half because that was what I was told to do. I, being the kind of person that is a little hard headed and going to do what I want to do anyway, was having a hard time with that concept. I have now developed a system where I do stop before my belly tells me to (I still eat a whole stupid little peice of fruit though.) I know that even though 2 chicken fingers and a few fries, leaves me feeling like I could eat another chicken finger and a few more fries, that if I just eat what I've aloted myself that in 15 minutes or so I WILL feel content. Not hungry, not craving, not feeling deprived. (I do make healthier choices than that most of the time...but I like that kind of stuff too once in awhile) I remember reading that Carnie Wilson would grab a spoonful of peanut butter for lunch...I honestly thought that would be my expirience too. When it wasn't I was very disappointed and felt my surgery was a failure, or that I was. I have come to terms with what I do have, and it is working...and I don't really think I'm loosing especially slow. I had open RNY 7/17 and am down -80+lbs. I started at 282. I think what really helped me through that part emotionally was when I stopped comparing myself to other post ops. I hope this has helped a bit! Best of luck to you. -Kim
   — KimBo36

January 19, 2002
I dont think your tool isnt not working but you might need to concentrate more on the feeling of fullness. Its not an easy feeling to arrive at for a lot of people but it is there. You never said how long it takes to eat that pan pizza...30 mintues? if so, then thats not bad. Now as far as consuming too fast...please try to slow down. I know you dont want to hear that but some foods you can get away with for a time eating quicker and others will sit like a rock in your gut. Part of the tool is not the surgery but YOU and how you approach things and I am not telling anything you dont already no so I mean no disrespect. The dumping question, not everyone dumps, you are one of those that that dont and that could be a curse in disguise depending on your relationship with sugar and sweets. I wouldnt beat yourself up too much just re-evaluate your progress as it relates to weigh loss. Are you losing or plateuing? Are you getting in your proteins and water, all that related stuff. Step back and review what is happening and if you seem to be still on course with your weight loss etc.. then dont fret over the pizza now and then, but do slow down when you are eatting. I mean if you can eat that whole pan pizza well enjoy it, savory it, you know what I mean? ;0)
   — Gwen M.

January 19, 2002
This was something that bothered me not long ago. I am only 4 months post op, but I can eat up to 6 oz at a time. <P>Dr Simpson said in his chat Thursday night that "The stomach does stretch over the course of time, sometimes to 9 oz. If it stretches more it generally means the patient ate too much." He was asked how many calories a patient should consume at 4 - 6 months post-op. His answer was "Calorie intake is usually 1000 to 1200 but 800 would be great". <P>Keep in mind this is one doctor's opinion, but if you can stay within those guidelines you should be ok.
   — [Anonymous]

January 19, 2002
I would definitely stick to a low calorie diet if you are only 7 weeks post op. Pizza is too heavy for you right now.
   — [Anonymous]

January 20, 2002
Get your op report. Find out how big your pouch was to start. Find out if you were transected. Then, ask to be scoped. Check our your mechanics. Since your surgery was so recent, you should still be as you were. Has your pouch stretched unreasonably (might be the method of construction), has your stoma stretched to a size that does not provide enough restriction? There are several mechanical things you can try rule out BEFORE you go down that whole blame game road and depress yourself. If your car is acting funny & bumpy, is it your driving? Maybe, but check to see if you have a flat tire first.
   — vitalady

January 20, 2002
Get your op report. Find out how big your pouch was to start. Find out if you were transected. Then, ask to be scoped. Check our your mechanics. Since your surgery was so recent, you should still be as you were. Has your pouch stretched unreasonably (might be the method of construction), has your stoma stretched to a size that does not provide enough restriction? There are several mechanical things you can try rule out BEFORE you go down that whole blame game road and depress yourself. If your car is acting funny & bumpy, is it your driving? Maybe, but check to see if you have a flat tire first.
   — vitalady